11/4/2022 0 Comments Potato bugs![]() ![]() ![]() The humpbacked larva is similar, but with only one row of dark spots on each side. The eggs are slightly larger and fewer found in a cluster. While the adult false potato beetle has alternating black and white strips on its back as well, one of the white strips in the center of each wing cover is missing and replaced by a light brown strip. While these two insects look nearly identical, only the Colorado potato beetle is a serious pest. The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, can be easily confused with its close cousin the false potato beetle, Leptinotarsa juncta. It is an extract of the neem seed that prevent the insect from developing normally. ![]() An insect growth regulator, called Align, has also been released for control of this insect. A premature treatment may lose much of its effectiveness before the eggs hatch. There is a new commercially available strain of Bacillius thuringiensis (var tenebrionis ) that are effective against small larvae (less than 1/4 inch) and should be applied at egg hatch or when larvae are first seen. A rotation among different classes of insecticides is recommended to discourage resistance. This insect is notorious for development of resistance to insecticides over short periods of time. If foliar sprays are used, an effort should be made to treat after most eggs have hatched but before serious plant damage occurs. POTATO BUGS FULLThere are two full and occasionally a partial third generation each year. They feed for a few days, before egg laying begins. This insect can go from egg to adult in as little as 21 days. In five to 10 days the new adult beetles emerge. The larval stage lasts two to three weeks.įull grown larvae move to the ground and change into an inactive or pupal stage. The larvae usually feed in groups and damage can be severe. The larvae are humpbacked with two rows of black spots. The eggs hatch in four to nine days and the larvae begin to feed on potato foliage. Each female can lay 500 or more eggs over a four to five week period. Female beetles lay batches of about two dozen orange-yellow eggs on the underside of the leaves. They will even enter the soil to attack emerging foliage. They become active again in the spring and feed on weeds and volunteer on early-planted potatoes. The Colorado potato beetle is a yellow insect with alternating black and white strips down its back. In addition to potato, Colorado potato beetle can be a serious pest of tomato, eggplant, and pepper. Colorado potato beetle overwinters in the soil as adults. Colorado potato beetle has alternating black and white stripes on its wing covers. Their damage can greatly reduce yield and even kill plants.įigure 3. Both the adult, or beetle, and the black-spotted, red larva feed on potato leaves. The common black and yellow-striped "potato bug", a very familiar insect, is the most serious pest of potatoes. Above-Ground Pests Colorado Potato Beetle A planting-time soil treatment should be sufficient in these cases. Because some wireworms and grubs spend two or more years in the soil a problem may still occur. The threat of damage by soil insects is lessened with time out of sod. White grubs produce large holes in tubers. By this time soil insects should be active and nearer the surface.įigure 2. For best results, treat after soil temperature at the six inch depth has reached 50☏. In these situations, a pre-plant broadcast application of a soil insecticide should be considered. These insects feed on grass roots and should be considered as a serious threat when potatoes are to be grown in ground immediately following sod.įigure 1. Soil insects, primarily wireworms and white grubs, can severely damage seed pieces and tubers. More on specific information on insecticides is available from ID-36, "Commercial Vegetable Crop Recommendations". ![]() This publication was prepared to provide information on the biology, identification and control of potato pests. Growing a new crop often means dealing with a different pest complex. The local market for potatoes from Kentucky has resulted in increased interest in the crop by potential growers. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture POTATO BUGS PDFENTFACT-304: Potato Pests | Download PDF by Ric Bessin, Extension Specialist ![]()
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